New month, new adventures. February also celebrates Mardi Gras. I just discovered that we have Mardi Gras parades in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, as well as in other towns. Not just New Orleans, Louisiana. How fun. I have never been to one, and Eureka Springs is less than two hours away. It is a beautiful, historic, resort town. So much to see and do. Apparently, after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, many recidents relocated to Arkansas, and "Eureka Gras", as they called it, started in 2006 and participation has risen to new levels since then. Weather permitting, I would love to go this year!
Mardi Gras celebrations first began in ancient Rome when early Christians incorporated elements of pagan spring festivals to mark the time before Lent. The tradition became popular throughout Europe, including France where the name Mardi Gras was coined (French for Fat Tuesday).In United States, New Orleans, with its French heritage, and influence, is the most well known Mardi Gras celebration, dating back to the 1800's, and today it is estimated that they get over 500,000 spectators.
February is also the month we celebrate Valentine's Day. Love is for everybody, not just for couples. But if you happen to be a couple, consider yourself blessed if:
- you continue to be loving and considerate long after the wedding bells have ceased ringing
- you are polite and courteous to one another as you are to your friends
- you have a sense of humor and laugh often with each other
- you love your mate more than any other person in the world
- you are helpful and faithful to each other
- you remember to thank God for all your blessings, and you make time to pray together
- you never speak loudly to one another and you make your home a place where one seldom hears discouraging words
- you can work out problems of adjustments without interference from relatives
- you understand and have a perfect partnership in financial matters
- you appreciate and support each other
